Manual selective connection installation which can be cleaned by scraping

ABSTRACT

A plant comprising a post (2&#39;) with fixed sections attached thereto at various heights, and a horizontally distortable articulated pipe (3&#39;) attached to each of said sections. Other fixed sections (B&#39;1 . . . B&#39;19) are arranged on a single level along a substantially horizontal reference line (L&#39;). The end of each pipe is connected to a tubular column (8&#39;) extending up to the reference line. Each column is movable along the reference line and may be shifted transversely so that the columns can pass one another in the vicinity of said line. Said plant is particularly useful in the oil industry.

The invention concerns an installation for selectively connecting anyone of a plurality of input pipes to any one of a plurality of outputpipes. It is particularly, but not exclusively, directed to thecirculation of petroleum products.

In most installations producing oil or chemical products it is necessaryto make many temporary connections in order to transfer products ofdifferent kinds in the same pipes. To this end it is necessary to beable to connect any one of a plurality of input lines to any one of aplurality of output lines, the numbers of input and output linespossibly being large, for example in the order of 20 or even more.

These multiple connections are unavoidable in the case of installationswhich can be cleaned by scraping (i.e. in which the internalcross-section of the fluid passage is the same everywhere).

There are various existing solutions to the problem of making theseconnections.

The first is to use flexible connections (hoses).

There are other solutions, usually automated, which use telescopicconnections, which can cause problems with cleaning by scraping.

The Applicant has already proposed the following solutions:

connections with double articulated joints in two perpendicular planes(see patent application 90-03050 of Mar. 9, 1990),

connections with multiple tubular members mobile in two stacked planesin the manner of abacus members and joined by a double elbow (see patentapplication FR-A-2 680 559 of Aug. 21, 1991).

These automated solutions have the drawback of being relatively costlyand are therefore ruled out in some projects for budgetary reasons.

It is therefore necessary to propose economical, possibly manualsolutions to the problem of making multiple connections (multiple inputlines connected to multiple output lines) in a way that enables cleaningby scraping.

These solutions must use rigid members which can be manoeuvred withoutmajor physical effort and which can be cleaned by scraping.

It must be possible to connect simultaneously all the input lines (orall the output lines if they are fewer in number), in any order, andwithout having to disconnect any line(s) already in service.

To this end the invention proposes an installation for provisionalselective connection of any one of an ordered plurality of first fixedsections all having the same inside diameter to any one of an orderedplurality of second fixed sections all having the same inside diameteras the first fixed sections, including:

a vertical first support to which the plurality of fixed sections isfixed, each at a specific level,

an ordered plurality of articulated pipes all having the same insidediameter as the first and second fixed sections, deformableindependently of each other in stacked horizontal planes, a specificarticulated pipe being connected to each first fixed section,

a first ordered plurality of first coupling sections all having the sameinside diameter as the first and second fixed sections and couplingflanges in an imaginary coupling plane (P), the number of first couplingsections being equal to the number of first fixed sections,

a support to which the second ordered plurality of second fixed sectionsis fixed,

a second ordered plurality of second coupling sections all having thesame inside diameter as the first and second fixed sections and couplingflanges parallel to the imaginary coupling plane, the number of secondcoupling sections being equal to the number of second fixed sections,

a plurality of couplers each adapted to couple a first coupling sectionand a second coupling section, which installation is characterised inthat:

each second coupling section is connected directly to a second fixedsection, said second coupling sections having fixed positions parallelto the imaginary coupling plane and being regularly arranged facing asubstantially horizontal reference line in said plane at a level belowthe level of the first sections,

each articulated pipe is connected, at the end opposite the endconnected to the first section to which it is connected, to a tubularcolumn having the same inside diameter as the first and second fixedsections and extending vertically as far as a respective first couplingsection, the respective lengths of the tubular columns being such thatthe first coupling sections are all at substantially the same level,each combination of a pipe, a tubular column and a first couplingsection being provided with means for limiting movement of saidcombination along the whole of the reference line to within a givenrange of horizontal movement to either side of said reference line,

the distance between adjacent second coupling sections and the givenrange of movement being greater than the diameter of the first couplingsections.

In accordance with preferred features of the invention:

the imaginary coupling plane is horizontal,

each articulated pipe is formed of three rigid sections articulated toeach other,

the reference line is substantially rectilinear,

the ends of the articulated pipes are inserted in respective carriagessliding on substantially horizontal coplanar rails in a vertical planesubstantially parallel to the reference line,

said given range of movement is delimited at least in part by abutmentscarried by said ends and cooperating with said carriages,

the vertical support and the plurality of first fixed sections aredivided into two sets on respective sides of a vertical plane throughthe rectilinear reference line,

the reference line is part of a circle,

each articulated pipe is formed of three rigid sections articulatedtogether and includes a spacer link articulated to the end rigidsections the same length as the median rigid section and forming apantograph with the rigid sections,

the end rigid section to which a tubular column is connected is orientedradially,

the second coupling sections are mounted telescopically on the secondfixed sections, perpendicularly to the imaginary coupling plane,

the telescopic second sections are provided with pivoting manoeuvringlevers,

the second coupling sections include two jaws articulated at first endsto said second coupling sections perpendicular to the imaginary couplingplane and a locking device adapted to hold second ends of the jaws in aclosed configuration,

the locking device comprises clamping means,

the clamping means are operated by a lever,

the locking device is articulated to the second end of one jaw,

the second coupling sections include sensors for identifying the firstcoupling sections,

a plug is disposed between a first coupling section and a secondcoupling section held in a bottom position.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention emerge from thefollowing description given by way of non-limiting example withreference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a provisional selective connection installationin accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of it as seen in the direction of the arrow II inFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of it,

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of it, showing several tubular columns inthe course of displacement,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of part of the second coupling sections and ofthree first coupling sections in course of displacement,

FIG. 6 is a side view of another provisional selective connectioninstallation which constitutes a duplicated version of the installationfrom FIGS. 1 through 5,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another provisional selective connectioninstallation in which the fixed second sections are arranged in a circlearound the fixed first sections,

FIG. 8 is a partial side view showing a plurality of tubular columns incourse of displacement,

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of this other installation, similar toFIG. 5,

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of one of the articulated pipes from FIG.7,

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the latter,

FIG. 12 is a side view partly in cross-section of a first couplingsection connected to a second coupling section by a coupler,

FIG. 13 is a side view partly in cross-section of the sections from FIG.12 in a release configuration,

FIG. 14 is a side view partly in cross-section of the sections from FIG.12 in a rest configuration,

FIG. 15 is a partly cut away plan view of the coupler from FIGS. 12through 14,

FIG. 16 is a partial view in the direction of the arrow XVI in FIG. 15,and

FIG. 17 is a view in cross-section on the line XVII--XVII in FIG. 14.

FIGS. 1 through 5 show the whole of a provisional selective connectioninstallation for connecting any one of an ordered plurality of firstfixed sections A1, A2, . . . , A10 all having the same inside diameterto any one of an ordered plurality of second fixed sections B1, B2, B3,. . . , B21 all having the same inside diameter as the first fixedsections.

This installation includes:

a vertical first support 2 to which the plurality of fixed sections isfixed, each at a specific level between levels Hmin and Hmax;

an ordered plurality of articulated pipes 3A, 3B, 3C, . . . , 3J havingthe same inside diameter as the first and second fixed sections,deformable independently of each other in stacked horizontal planes, aspecific one of the articulated pipes being connected to each firstsection,

a first ordered plurality of first coupling sections 4A, . . . , 4Jhaving the same inside diameter as the first and second fixed sectionsand coupling flanges in an imaginary coupling plane (P), the number offirst coupling sections being equal to the number of first fixedsections,

a support 5 to which the second ordered plurality of second fixedsections is fixed,

a second ordered plurality of second coupling sections 6A, . . . , 6Uhaving the same inside diameter as the first and second fixed sectionsand coupling flanges parallel to the imaginary coupling plane P, thenumber of second coupling sections being equal to the number of secondfixed sections,

a plurality of couplers 7 (see also FIGS. 12 through 17) each adapted tocouple a first coupling section and a second coupling section.

In accordance with various features of the invention:

each of the second coupling sections 6A, . . . , 6U is connecteddirectly to one of the second fixed sections B1, . . . , B21, thesesecond coupling sections having fixed positions parallel to theimaginary coupling plane and being regularly arranged facing asubstantially horizontal reference line L in said plane P and having alevel HL lower than the levels of the first sections,

each of the articulated pipes 3A, . . . , 3J is connected at the endopposite the end connected to the first section to which it is connectedto a tubular column 8A, . . . , 8J having the same inside diameter asthe first and second fixed sections and extending vertically as far as arespective first coupling section 4A, . . . , 4J, the respective lengthsof the tubular columns being such that the first coupling sections areall at substantially the same level (that of the reference line), eachcombination of a pipe, a tubular column and a first coupling sectionbeing provided with means for limiting relative movement of thiscombination along all of the reference line to within a given range ofhorizontal relative movement to either side of said reference line (seebelow),

the distance between adjacent second coupling sections and the givenrange of angular movement is greater than the diameter of the firstcoupling sections (see FIG. 5).

In this example the imaginary coupling plane P is horizontal. It couldinstead be inclined or even vertical.

In this example each articulated pipe 3A, . . . , 3J is formed by threerigid sections articulated to each other.

The reference line L is substantially rectilinear.

The ends of the articulated pipes are inserted by means of rods 12A, . .. , 12J into respective carriages 10A, . . . , 10J provided withbearings for the rods and sliding on rails 11A, . . . , 11J which aresubstantially horizontal and coplanar in a vertical plane PVsubstantially parallel to the reference line. These rails support andguide horizontal movement of the carriages 10A, . . . , 10J.

Said given range of movement is delimited at least in part by abutments14, 15 carried by said ends and cooperating with said carriages (in thisexample with the bearings).

To stiffen the pipe-column connection an inclined spacer 16B, . . . ,16J is fixed to the end of the articulated pipe and to the associatedcolumn.

The system shown thus comprises a set of articulated links made up of:

a fixed member A1, A2, etc with its coupling flange attached to asupport structure 5,

three mobile members linked together by rotation joints to formarticulated arms 3A, etc,

the last member curving downwards to form a vertical tube adapted to beconnected to any one of the fixed outlet pipes B1, B2, etc. It isprovided with a system of guidance in two mutually perpendiculardirections: lengthwise of and transversely to the line along which thefixed support pipes are disposed.

In the vertical plane PV each rail provided with a guide carriageattached to the vertical column or tube enables displacement towards theright or towards the left over the width of the assembly (over theentire length of the reference line).

In a plane perpendicular to the plane PV the rod 12A, etc or slidingguide enables the vertical tube to move from the front towards the rearover a limited distance. This enables positioning of the vertical tubeeither in front of or behind the fixed pipes.

The function of this guide is important to manoeuvring of the wholesystem since, depending on the lines already in service and the locationof the line to be connected, the vertical tube can be moved withoutinterfering with lines already connected only (see FIG. 5):

either on the inside (in front) if the line being manoeuvred is at alevel lower than the level of the connected line,

or on the outside (to the rear) if the line being manoeuvred is situatedat a level higher than the level of the connected line.

The other members of the articulated connection are disposed so thatthey never interfere with each other when they move.

The length of the vertical tube is adapted for each connection so thatthe point of connection is always at the level of the connectingcoupling on the fixed pipes, on the exit side of the installation.

These fixed output pipes, arranged in a line, are equipped with twodevices (see FIGS. 12 through 17).

The first of these devices is a quick-connect coupler for connecting thevertical mobile tube to the fixed pipework and disconnecting ittherefrom. This coupler comprises two jaws or half-flanges 20-21, etcarticulated about a fixed axis perpendicular to the coupling plane P anda coarse thread screw-nut system 22 for quick locking and clamping. Thisarrangement enables opening of the coupler in two stages:

unclamping of the two half-flanges by moving the handle 23 into theopening position; the coupler is no longer sealed but the pipes arestill held in place as a safety precaution (against accidental openingof a line under pressure),

opening of the two half-flanges after pivoting of the screw-nut system22.

An inductive sensor 24 attached to the part 25 to which the half-flangesare articulated senses and identifies the vertical pipe connected.

The coupler assembly is advantageously mounted on a telescopic sectionconstituting one of the aforementioned second coupling sections movedbetween top and bottom positions by a lever 26 articulated transverselyto one of the fixed sections B, etc.

This movement moves the coupling flange of the coupler away from thecoupling flange on the vertical tube to enable the latter to be movedwithout interfering with the coupler.

A plug 27 adapted to be clamped by the coupler hermetically seals a linewhen it is to remain out of service. A guide groove 28 in the plug holdsthe unused vertical tube in the rest position.

This plug is also a valuable safety measure in the event of accidentalpressurisation of a line that is not used or activation of the cleaningscraper.

As an alternative to this, if the number of vertical tubes must begreater than ten, to avoid an excessive length of vertical tube a secondset of inputs and pipes can be installed facing the first (see FIG. 6),on opposite sides of the row of fixed outlet pipes B, etc.

A connection sequence can proceed as follows, if mobile (input) line NoX must be connected to fixed line No Y (the mobile line is in the restposition on the plug).

1. The operator moves the vertical tube to the rear, so that it can beguided to the right or the left, depending on the position of fixed lineNo Y.

2. To reach this position, it is necessary to avoid any interferencewith the lines which are in service or in the rest position; thedistance between the centre lines of the fixed lines is sufficient toallow movement to the front and to the rear of a vertical tube betweentwo adjacent lines in service (extreme case).

The operator displaces the vertical tube and moves it around (in frontof or behind) any connected lines it encounters as it is moved.

3. Connection of the mobile vertical tube to the fixed pipework:

opening of the coupler,

displacement of the connecting flange of the telescopic section usingthe lever,

closing of the two half-flanges of the coupler,

fitting and tightening of the screw-nut system.

Disconnection requires the converse operation and fitting of the plug.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 the referencenumbers are the same but "primed". This alternative embodiment entails:

dispensing with the horizontal guides,

installing the output lines in a circle around a central point at whichis located the (fixed) first articulation of the articulated pipes,

equipping the articulated pipes 3' with a link 30 fastening the outersection to the inner section, in parallel with the median section so asto form at least approximately a deformable parallelogram or pantograph,

installing abutments to limit relative movement of the vertical tube inthe plane perpendicular to the fixed rotation. These abutments 31, 32limit relative movement to the inside and outside crossing position.

Operation of this embodiment can be deduced from the above descriptionof the operation of the first embodiment.

The advantages of this embodiment are as follows:

reduced cost (through the elimination of the guide systems),

the pantograph produces a rigid coupling by fastening the sectioncarrying the vertical connecting tube, giving the latter a fixedorientation relative to the centre of the circle, preferably a radialorientation,

right-left movement entrains only the first fixed rotation,

front-back movement is always by pushing or pulling along an axis whichalways passes through the first fixed rotation. This prevents anyspurious force which could otherwise tend to displace the connection asa whole in one direction or the other (to the right or to the left).

However, because the horizontal guidance is dispensed with, the lengthof the articulated connections is limited and consequently the possiblenumber of fixed connection points is small. However, there are manyapplications in which this is acceptable.

The figures show the area W in which an operator works. The firstcoupling sections 4A, etc are advantageously provided with handles 40.

There follows a detailed numerical example of implementation of theinvention:

the FIG. 1 installation has 10 inputs and 21 outputs and in theduplicated example of FIG. 6 the number of inputs is not quite doubled(to 19) to leave enough room for the operator: there is provision herefor some degree of flexibility to suit requirements,

the rails are 5 m long for 21 outputs spaced by 0.25 m, for example; thetotal range of movement is around 0.37 m for a transverse overalldimension of the couplers of around 0.2 m and a column cross-section ofaround 0.1 m,

the length of the first two articulated pipe sections is 1.7 m while thethird section has a width of 1.2 m,

the total height is 6 m with a minimal level at 1.15 m and a height of0.9 m for the front plane,

the inclined spacers 16B, . . . , 16J advantageously includepolyurethane buffers,

in the circular configuration the pipe sections have respective lengthsfrom the centre of 1.05 m, 0.525 m and 0.6 m and the angular separationof the outputs is 10° for a reference line with a radius of 1.5 m,

the range of movement of the articulated pipe is determined by anabutment joined to the intermediate section adapted to sweep out anangular sector delimited by two abutments attached to the internalsection,

the telescopic travel is 50 mm.

It goes without saying that the preceding description has been given byway of non-limiting example only and that numerous variants can be putforward by the person skilled in the art without departing from thescope of the invention.

For example, for short lengths of pipe (small number of outlets B) thesupport guides can be dispensed with even in the embodiments of FIGS. 1to 6. As an alternative, supports can be provided even in the circularconfiguration.

Choosing a vertical coupling plane can have the advantage of enablingthe telescopic section to be dispensed with, although this increases therange of movement required of each column.

I claim:
 1. Installation for provisional selective connection of any oneof an ordered plurality of first fixed sections (A1, . . . , A10; A'1,etc.) all having the same inside diameter to any one of an orderedplurality of second fixed sections (B1, etc.; B'1, etc.) all having thesame inside diameter as the first fixed sections, including:a verticalfirst support (2, 2') to which the plurality of first fixed sections isfixed, each at a specific level, an ordered plurality of articulatedpipes (3A, etc.; 3'A) all having the same inside diameter as the firstand second fixed sections, deformable independently of each other instacked horizontal planes, a specific articulated pipe being connectedto each first fixed section, a first ordered plurality of first couplingsections (4A, etc.; 4'A) all having the same inside diameter as thefirst and second fixed sections and each having a coupling flange in animaginary coupling plane (P), the number of first coupling sectionsbeing equal to the number of first fixed sections, a support (5, 5') towhich the second ordered plurality of second fixed sections is fixed, asecond ordered plurality of second coupling sections (6A, etc.; 6'A) allhaving the same inside diameter as the first and second fixed sectionsand each having a second coupling flange parallel to the imaginarycoupling plane, the number of second coupling sections being equal tothe number of second fixed sections, a plurality of couplers (20, 21)each adapted to couple a first coupling section and a second couplingsection, which installation is characterized in that:each secondcoupling section (6A, etc.; 6'A) is connected directly to a second fixedsection (B1, etc.; B'1, etc.), said second coupling sections havingfixed positions parallel to the imaginary coupling plane and beingregularly arranged facing a substantially horizontal reference line (L,L') in said plane at a level (HL) below the level of the first couplingsections, each articulated pipe is connected at the end opposite the endconnected to the first fixed section to which it is connected to atubular column (8A, etc.; 8'A) having the same inside diameter as thefirst and second fixed sections and extending vertically as far as arespective first coupling section, the respective lengths of the tubularcolumns being such that the first coupling sections are all atsubstantially the same level, each combination of a pipe, a tubularcolumn and a first coupling section being provided with means forlimiting movement of said combination along the whole of the referenceline to within a given range of horizontal movement to either side ofsaid reference line, the distance between adjacent second couplingsections and the given range of movement being greater than the diameterof the first coupling sections.
 2. Installation according to claim 1characterised in that the imaginary coupling plane (P) is horizontal. 3.Installation according to claim 1 characterized in that each articulatedpipe (3A, etc.; 3'A, etc.) is formed of three rigid sections articulatedto each other.
 4. Installation according to claim 1 characterized inthat the reference line (L) is substantially rectilinear. 5.Installation according to claim 4 characterised in that the ends of thearticulated pipes are inserted in respective carriages (10A, etc)sliding on substantially horizontal coplanar rails (11A, etc) in avertical plane substantially parallel to the reference line. 6.Installation according to claim 5 characterised in that said given rangeof movement is delimited at least in part by abutments (14, 15) carriedby said ends and cooperating with said carriages.
 7. Installationaccording to claim 6 characterized in that an inclined spacer (16B,etc.) is fixed to the end of each articulated pipe and to the associatedcolumn and carries buffers.
 8. Installation according to claim 4characterized in that the vertical support and the plurality of firstfixed sections are divided into two sets on respective sides of avertical plane through the rectilinear reference line.
 9. Installationaccording to claim 1 characterized in that the reference line (L') ispart of a circle.
 10. Installation according to claim 9 characterised inthat each articulated pipe is formed of three rigid sections articulatedtogether and includes a spacer link (30) articulated to the end rigidsections the same length as the median rigid section and forming apantograph with the rigid sections.
 11. Installation according to claim10 characterised in that the end rigid section to which a tubular columnis connected is oriented radially.
 12. Installation according to claim 1characterized in that the second coupling sections (6A, etc.; 6"A) aremounted telescopically on the second fixed sections, perpendicularly tothe imaginary coupling plane.
 13. Installation according to claim 12characterised in that said second sections are provided with pivotingmanoeuvring levers (26).
 14. Installation according to claim 12 or claim13 characterised in that the second coupling sections include two jaws(20, 21) articulated at first ends to said second coupling sectionsperpendicular to the imaginary coupling plane and a locking device (22)adapted to hold second ends of said jaws in a closed configuration. 15.Installation according to claim 14 characterised in that said lockingdevice (22) comprises clamping means.
 16. Installation according toclaim 15 characterised in that the clamping means are operated by alever (23).
 17. Installation according to claim 14 characterized in thatthe locking device is articulated to the second end of one jaw. 18.Installation according to claim 1 characterized in that the secondcoupling sections include sensors (24) for identifying the firstcoupling sections.
 19. Installation according to claim 1 characterizedin that a plug is disposed between a first coupling section and a secondcoupling section held in a bottom position.